USE SHIFT + ARROW UP/DOWN TO SCROLL
FILL (WHILE A HELD)
Trace an outline with the arrow keys (or tap F for the whole canvas), then tap 1 lines 2 v-lines 3 45° lines 4 grid 5 dots 6 spray 7 crayon 8 solid to fill it — or hold V to move it, or Z to copy it.
COLOR (SHIFT+1-5)
IMPORT
Ctrl+I
Ctrl+T
VIEW
zoom
change canvas size
Ctrl+Z · Ctrl+Shift+Z
Ctrl+Y · Ctrl+N
Ctrl+M
EXPORT
Ctrl+E
Ctrl+Shift+E
RECORD
Ctrl+R · records the drawing as you go
PROJECT
Ctrl+S
Ctrl+O · loads a .ncpaint file
Erase the whole canvas?
Rendering video…
ESC · close without saving
Size: 100% · fits current view
Shift +/- keys also resize
ROTATE / FLIP
R rotates 90° · H/V flip
COLOR (SHIFT+0-5)
STYLE (1-6)
Arrow keys move it · Enter draws
TEXT
FONT
Size is chosen next, after importing
Ctrl+Enter · continue
Hold D/W/X/C/Q/E/S + arrows to draw, Space+arrow to angle the last segment · Shift+1-5 pick a color · A traces an area (F marks the whole canvas while tracing), 1-8 fills it, or hold V to move / Z to copy what's inside it (arrows drag while held, releasing places it, Esc cancels) · hold F + 1-8 to fill the area under the cursor with a pattern · +/- zoom · [ ] resize canvas · Shift+Up/Down scroll menu · Ctrl+Z undo · Ctrl+Shift+Z redo · Ctrl+I import · Ctrl+T import text · Ctrl+E export PNG · Ctrl+Shift+E export SVG · Ctrl+Y clear · Ctrl+N new canvas (1 yes/2 no to confirm) · Ctrl+M dark mode
x000 y000 · zoom 100% · Medium

NCPaint

Is a keyboard based image drawing program that is used entirely without a mouse/trackpad. NCPaint is an anti-tool, not meant to simplify image creation, but make it harder; nor to help you create perfect images, but to frustrate you into creating imperfect ones.

1. Start

Choose canvas shape by pressing 1-3.
Choose canvas size by pressing 1-5.
Clear canvas by pressing Ctrl + Y and 1. Start new canvas by pressing Ctrl + N and 1.
Scroll menu by pressing Shift + arrow up/down.

2. Create

Choose color by pressing Shift + 1-5 (Tip: Try pressing multiple color numbers at once).
Choose drawing tool by pressing one of the tool keys, then use arrow keys to draw. Deactivate tool by pressing tool key again or choosing a new tool. Alternatively, hold tool key while drawing and deactivate by letting go of key.
With the area tool, mark an area using A + arrow keys, then press 1-8 to fill area; or hold V + arrow keys to move or Z + arrow keys to copy the area. Release button to place moved/copied area.
Press F to autofill the area where the cursor is currently set.
Press Ctrl + I to import image and Ctrl + T to import text.
Press Ctrl + R to record your drawing process, press again to export animation.

3. Export

When done, export your image using Ctrl + E for PNG or Ctrl + Shift + E for SVG.
To continue work on your image at a later time, press Ctrl + S to save your NCPaint project.

NCPAINT

Pick a canvas shape to start.

CANVAS SIZE

Bigger boards need more zooming out to see in full — the biggest can't be seen all at once.